New Look for Resorts World’s Atrium

Resorts World have given their central atrium a
makeover, visually enhancing the space for guests and staff with a bold
artistic installation.

Following
the fourth anniversary of the Midlands leisure and entertainment destination in
October 2019, Resorts World appointed Alexander
Owen (AO) Architecture to transform their central atrium space, which sits at
the centre of the scheme housing outlet
shopping, dining, leisure and entertainment experiences and a conference venue
all under one roof.

The objectives
of the project for the London design duo were to enhance the existing design, initially launched in 2015, to create an exciting and memorable guest
journey and to inspire exploration and discovery by their guests throughout the
various floors and venues of the building.

Inspired
by the iconic Peckham Levels stairwell installation completed by AO in London, a full architectural analysis
of the space to create a visually unique design was completed, inspired by the
structure, form and organisation of the building. The design transitions upwards, across and
around each floor, incorporating the central escalators, representing and
accompanying the flow of energy and movement of guests around Resorts World.

Completed
in partnership with local Midlands signage firm Bowden & Dolphin and
painting by Bagnalls, the finished spectacle and colourways, inspired by
chromatherapy and the healing nature of colours, are designed to feel
comfortable and relatable; both relatable to the human scale as the eyeline
transitions through the levels and also in warmth and feeling.

“The
atrium is very much a transition zone within the destination, almost akin to a
decompression zone in a shop. A successful decompression zone should encourage
people to slow down, breathe and make a calm transition from one space to
another.

Similarly,
in Resorts World’s atrium, guests need to be able to stop, find their bearings
and then progress to their next destination, be it in an exploratory or direct
fashion. For this reason the final colour
palette needed to flow from one hue to another in a relatively smooth progression
in order to express the atrium’s transitional nature and the tranquil flow of
energy within it.”

Richard Bridges, also a Director
of Alexander Owen Architecture, added:

“The colours themselves work
together to engender different moods and feelings; the purples and pinks
inspire and exude vibrant energy, whilst the blues and greens provide more
healing, tranquil energies. Black has been used to fill the neutral voids
between the floor plates and act as a back and foreground to the colour.
Together, the movement within the graphic form and the energy of the changing
chromatic hues are intended to draw guests through the space and encourage
exploration of what Resorts World has to offer.”

Ian
Bennett, Operations Director at Resorts World, said:

“Our
guests are coming to visit Resorts World to spend important leisure time away
from the rush of everyday life. We realise that the physical and visual
environments they choose to spend this time are becoming increasingly
significant, to suit their mood, meet their needs and enhance their enjoyment.
Our aim is to make their visit as fun, welcoming and memorable as possible,
which underpins this new makeover within the building and guest journey.”

Enhancing everyday experience by
design, this is
the biggest commercial space Alexander Owen have worked on and their first
architectural venture outside of London. The first phase in the Resorts World
makeover is now complete, with phase two, looking at walkways & entrances,
commencing in 2020.